Tag: Abkhazia - Page 3

Sokhumi brings in new restrictions at Enguri Bridge, locals charged USD 17 for passing

September 28, 2019 by DFWatch staff

GALI, DFWatch–Sokhumi has brought in new restrictions on the administrative borderline between breakaway Abkhazia and Georgia proper, affecting many businesses in the area. Crossing north-south across the Enguri Bridge is essential to many in the area, who rely on trade in products such as hazelnuts. But despite the new restrictions, anyone who pays money can … Read more

Sokhumi claims opposition leader's illness due to food intoxication, not deliberate poisoning

June 6, 2019 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–Abkhazia’s breakaway authorities claim opposition leader Aslan Bzhania’s sudden illness is due to ordinary food intoxication, not deliberate poisoning. Sokhumi thus rejects conclusions by a laboratory in Munich, which found earlier that samples from the leading opposition contender contained high levels of lead and cadmium. De facto deputy prosecutor general, Epshsou Kakulia, told the … Read more

Breakaway Abkhazia to reintroduce the death penalty for drug crime from 2020

April 5, 2019 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–Breakaway authorities in Abkhazia plan to lift its moratorium on capital punishment in 2020 as tougher sentences are brought in against drug crime. The de facto parliament of breakaway Abkhazia has adopted a new law which imposes tougher punishments for selling large quantities of drugs, including life sentence and even death penalty. The law … Read more

Illegal trade on rise due to dire economic situation, Gali residents say

October 20, 2018 by DFWatch staff

GALI, DFWatch – The loss of sources of income related to the spread of deadly brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), which has devastated locals’ orchards, urges residents of Gali to return to illegal business of smuggling goods, particularly cigarettes, from the breakaway Abkhazia to Georgia proper.

Abkhazia’s de facto prime minister killed in car accident

September 9, 2018 by DFWatch staff

The prime minister of Sokhumi regime was killed in a car accident on the road connecting the capital of breakaway Abkhazia with Russia’s Sochi on Saturday, when he was returning from his trip to Syria.

Sokhumi regime vice president resigns, declares vendetta to punish offender

August 22, 2018 by DFW-admin

Vice president of breakaway Abkhazia has stepped down after an incident when he was hit by a glass to his head, saying that plans to retaliate in “Abkhazian spirit”.

Abkhazia declares Soviet passports invalid

August 18, 2018 by DFW-admin

GALI, DFWatch–Sokhumi has declared as invalid passports issued during the Soviet Union, which will cause problems for Georgians living in Abkhazia, many of whom rely on the documents for traveling in and out of the breakaway republic, locals told DFWatch.

Catastrophic mandarin harvest deals heavy blow to Abkhazia's exports

December 6, 2017 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–Abkhazia’s export of mandarins and other produce has plummeted by 2.7 times, dealing a heavy blow to the breakaway republic’s economy.

Local media blame the bad harvest on the spread of brown marmorated stink bug, which has devastated crops also in Georgia.

51 people jailed for entering Georgia’s breakaway territories the wrong way

February 11, 2017 by DFWatch staff

gali1 — The bridge over the river Inguri is currently the only legal way to enter Abkhazia. (DF Watch.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has jailed 51 persons over the last nine years for entering Abkhazia or South Ossetia from the wrong direction. The ombudsman now calls for a review of the law.

Georgia’s Law on the Occupied Territories

Abkhazia won’t hand over murderer of Georgian IDP

July 6, 2016 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto president of Abkhazia Raul Hajymba (Khadzhimba) told Russian media that the murderer of Georgian IDP Giga Otkhozoria won’t be handed over to the Georgian side.